Giants' Belt back on D.L.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Brandon Belt was asked earlier this week if he knew the last time the Giants' opening day lineup was healthy.

"May 9th," he said quickly.

That was the day a broken thumb put Belt on the disabled list for the first time. On Friday, he hit the disabled list for a third time. Belt was put back on the seven-day concussion D.L. after the team's concussion specialist determined Belt was still showing post-concussion symptoms. Belt will see a specialist in San Francisco on Monday. He said he is having balance issues related to his vestibular system.

San Francisco Giants' Brandon Belt hits a fourth-inning solo home run off New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon in a baseball game in New York, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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Kathy Willens
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Belt's problems started July 19, when two teammates threw to first at the same time during a drill and one of the balls hit Belt in the head. He was diagnosed with a concussion and missed 12 games. Belt returned Aug. 2 and had four hits -- including a towering homer -- in his first four games. But he struck out four times Wednesday and said he had vision problems during the game.

"I had dizzy spells, and it was enough for me to say something," Belt said. "When I was out on the field in Milwaukee (Wednesday), it was very noticeable for me. I was having to refocus my eyes, and it was hard to focus on certain things. My vision was blurry. It was tough."

Belt thought he might just be fatigued, but the symptoms didn't go away.

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"We'll get it checked out," he said. "We've got to get to where I don't have any symptoms. If we can do that, I'll take it from there."

Belt has already missed 64 games with the broken thumb and the concussion. The Giants aren't sure how long he'll be out this time around. The first priority is making sure he is symptom-free.

"It's important to take care of Brandon -- the symptoms are there again," manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's come back, and it does concern us. You have to have some concerns there, because we just don't know. We'll see how he comes out of it this time, whether it's faster or slower. But, obviously it can linger."

Infielder Matt Duffy was added to the active roster to take Belt's spot. Duffy was optioned to Double-A Richmond on Thursday to clear a spot for Angel Pagan, but because the Giants were concerned about Belt, Duffy traveled to Kansas City with the team.